Middle East

Fighting reaches Gaza City and Khan Yunis

Article published on the 2009-01-06 Latest update 2009-01-10 16:01 TU

Israeli soldiers drive a mobile artillery unit in the Gaza strip on Monday
(Photo: Reuters)

Israeli tanks attacked the city of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip and were met with gunfire, early on Tuesday. The tanks' entry into the city was supported by helicopter gunships.

Fighting between Israeli infantry and militants also took place inside Gaza city and close to the cities of Deir al-Balah and al-Bureij in central Gaza.

UN officials said five Palestinians were killed after Israeli bombs hit two UN schools on Tuesday morning. Three were killed when an air attack hit a school in the Chati refugee camp and a further two died when the entrance to a school in Khan Yunis was struck by artillery.

Hamas continue to fire rockets into Israel which, on Tuesday, landed 45 kilometres inside Israeli territory. This is the furthest that Hamas' rockets have travelled and left a baby wounded.

The death toll has risen to 580 Palestinians, and five Israeli soldiers since the start of the land attack on Saturday evening.

2,700 Palestinians have been injured and dozens of members of the Israeli military.